Multi-band and multi-mode mobile terminal for wireless communication systems

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal in wireless communication systems, comprising a control unit, for generating control information according to the bands and modes corresponding to signals to be received and signals to be transmitted; a band switching unit, for switching to the propagation path of the corresponding band to transfer corresponding signals, according to the control information; a mode switching unit, for switching to the propagation path of the corresponding mode to transmit signals in the propagation paths of the corresponding band and the corresponding mode, according to the control information; an RF processing unit, for RF processing the signals transferred from the propagation path of the corresponding mode in corresponding band, RF processing the signals to be transferred in corresponding band and then transferring them to the propagation path of the corresponding mode; a base-band processing unit, for converting RF signals from the RF processing unit into base-band signals, and transferring the base-band signals to be transferred to the RF processing unit. The mobile terminal can flexibly select working mode and band in multi-mode, multi-band communication systems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal for use inwireless communication systems, and more particularly, to a mobileterminal capable of working in multi-band and multi-mode for use inwireless communication systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

The 2G mobile communication networks, still in operation so far, such asGSM and CDMA (IS95), work at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz, wherein GSM works inTDD mode while CDMA (IS95) in FDD mode. With requirement for systemperformance and capacity going higher and higher, existing 2G mobilecommunication systems are gradually evolving towards 3G mobilecommunication systems.

3G communication systems work at around 2000 MHz and can be classifiedinto three mainstreams: WCDMA, CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA, wherein WCDMA andCDMA2000 work in FDD mode while TD-SCDMA in TDD mode. Nowadays, TD-SCDMAhas been accepted by 3GPP as a low-chip-rate TDD option and is parallelto the high-chip-rate option of WCDMA in overall performance.

Old network systems have been established for a long period and thus mayoffer better coverage than the new ones, so the new and old networksystems would coexist for a long time, therefore it's necessary for anew mobile terminal to work well in coverage areas of new networks aswell as in those of old networks. But each communication system hasdifferent air interface protocols, working mode and operating frequency,so existing mobile terminals can't satisfy this requirement withoutmodifications.

A dual-mode mobile terminal has already come in market, but it neglectsTD-SCDMA who joined 3G standard in 2001, especially the problem ofworking in different frequencies and modes. So, it is of great necessityto offer a mobile terminal capable of working in both 2G and 3G mobilecommunication systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode andmulti-band mobile terminal for use in wireless communication systems,wherein the mobile terminal can perform communication with variouscommunication systems, especially with GSM, CDMA (IS95), TDD-basedTD-SCDMA and FDD-based WCDMA systems, through integrating componentscapable of communicating with both 2G and 3G networks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode andmulti-band mobile terminal for use in wireless communication systems,wherein the mobile terminal can save manufacturing cost and improveintegrity through sharing some components in different modes anddifferent frequencies, and realizes more flexible selections ofmulti-band and multi-mode by utilizing switching unit, duplex unit andcontrol unit.

A mobile terminal proposed for use in wireless communication systems isaccording to the present invention, comprising: a control unit, forgenerating control information according to the band corresponding tothe received signals and signals to be transmitted; a band switchingunit, for switching to the propagation path of the corresponding bands,so as to transfer corresponding signals, according to the controlinformation; an RF processing unit, for RF processing received signalstransferred via the propagation path of the corresponding band, and RFprocessing the signals to be transmitted, then transmitting theprocessed signals via the band switching unit, according to the controlinformation; a baseband processing unit, for converting RF signals fromthe RF processing unit into baseband signals, and transferring thebaseband signals to be transmitted to the RF processing unit for RFprocessing, according to the control information.

A mobile terminal proposed for use in wireless communication systemsaccording to the present invention, comprising: a control unit, forgenerating control information according to the band corresponding tothe received signals and signals to be transmitted; a band switchingunit, for switching to the propagation path of the corresponding bandsto transfer the corresponding signals, according to the controlinformation; an RF processing unit, for RF processing the signalstransferred from the band switching unit, and RF processing signals tobe transmitted in corresponding bands according to the controlinformation so as to transmit the RF signals from the band switchingunit; a baseband processing unit, for converting the RF signals from theRF processing unit into baseband signals, and transferring the basebandsignals to be transmitted to the RF processing unit for RF processingaccording to the control information.

A mobile terminal proposed for use in wireless communication systemsaccording to the present invention, comprising: a control unit, forgenerating control information according to the mode corresponding tothe received signals and signals to be transmitted; a mode switchingunit, for switching to the propagation path of the corresponding mode totransmit the corresponding signals, according to the controlinformation; an RF processing unit, for RF processing the receivedsignals transferred from the propagation path of the corresponding mode,RF processing the RF signals to be transmitted and then transmitting theRF signals from the propagation path of the corresponding mode; abaseband processing unit, for converting RF signals from said RFprocessing unit into baseband signals, and transferring the basebandsignals to be transmitted to the RF processing unit to be RF processed.

A communication method proposed to be executed by a UE in wirelesscommunication systems according to the present invention, comprising:determining the band corresponding to the received signals, according tothe received radio signals; RF processing the received signals incorresponding band, according to the determined band; basebandprocessing the RF processed signals.

According to the embodiment in the present invention, the method furtherincludes: determining the band corresponding to signals to betransmitted; RF processing the baseband processed signals incorresponding band, according to the determined band; transmitting theRF signals corresponding to said band.

According to the embodiment in the present invention, the method furtherincludes: determining the mode corresponding to the received signals andsignals to be transmitted; transferring the received signals and signalsto be transmitted, according to determined mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the mobile terminal proposedin the present invention receives and transmits signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment for the mobile terminal proposed in thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, at receiving signals, the RF signals received viaantenna 10 are transferred to band switching unit 20 consisting of a HPF(High-Pass Filter) and a LPF (Low-Pass Filter). When the indication fromcontrol unit 180 indicates that the received signals are HF (HighFrequency) signals (e.g. frequency of the received signals is higherthan 1500 MHz), the received signals are transferred to HF modeswitching unit 30 via band switching unit 20; when the indication fromcontrol unit 180 indicates that the received signals are LF (LowFrequency) signals (e.g. frequency of the received signals is lower than1000 MH), the received signals are transferred to LF band switching unit40 via band switching unit 20.

Afterwards, the received signals are transferred to the correspondingmode selection switching units, according to the control instructionfrom control unit 180, that is: if the input signals are HF signals, thereceived signals are transferred to HF TDD mode transceiving switchingunit 50 when the control instruction indicates the working mode forreceiving signals currently is TDD, and to HF FDD mode duplex unit 60when FDD; if the input signals are LF signals, the received signals aretransferred to LF TDD mode transceiving switching unit 70 when thecontrol instruction indicates the working mode for receiving signalscurrently is TDD and to LF FDD mode duplex unit 80 when FDD.

If the received signals are inputted through HF TDD mode transceivingswitching unit 50 or HF FDD mode duplex unit 60, the received signalsare inputted into HF Rx RF processing unit 110 consisting of RF filter8, LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) 14 and BPF 18, and the input signalsprocessed by HF Rx RF processing unit 110 are transferred to Rx bandswitching unit 140 after being filtered by RF filter 8 and BPF 18 andamplified by LNA 14. If the received signals are inputted through LF TDDmode transceiving switching unit 70 or LF FDD mode duplex unit 80, thereceived signals are inputted into LF Rx RF processing unit 120consisting of RF filter 12, LNA 16 and BPF 21, and the input signalsprocessed by LF Rx RF processing unit 120 are transferred to Rx bandswitching unit 140 after being filtered by RF filter 12 and BPF 21 andamplified by LNA 16.

With indication of the control instruction from control unit 180, thesignals processed by HF Rx RF processing unit 110 or LF Rx RF processingunit 120, are transferred to AGC (Automatic Gain Control) 270 via Rxband switching unit 140.

With indication of the control instruction from control unit 180, thesignal amplified by AGC 270 are inputted into Rx processing unit 160composed of demodulating unit 230, Rx LO (Local Oscillation) generatingunit 250 and Rx baseband unit 210. Rx processing unit 160 can be sharedby received signals in different modes and in different frequencies. InRx processing unit 160, the input signals amplified by AGC 270 aretransferred to demodulating unit 230 composed of mixers 28 and 29,divider 37 and phase shifter 32, for demodulation. Wherein the LO usedby the demodulating unit 230 is supplied by Rx LO generating unit 250.In Rx LO generating unit 250, the frequency signals outputted by FS(Frequency Synthesizer) 36 based on reference clock 39, provide LOsignals corresponding to the received signals to phase shifter 32 afterbeing divided by divider 34 controlled by control unit 180. Thedemodulated signals, i.e. the I&Q signals, are inputt ed into digitalprocessing unit 170 via analog LPFs 43 and 44, AGCs 48 and 49, ADCs 52and 53 in Rx baseband unit 210.

In digital processing unit 170, the baseband digital in-phase signalsand quadrature-phase signals acquired through Rx processing unit 160,are processed further after filtered by digital filters 56 and 57.

A description is given above to the collaboration relationship betweeneach component of the mobile terminal provided in the present inventionat receiving signals, in conjunction with FIG. 1. In the following, anexplanation will go to the collaboration relationship between eachcomponent of the mobile terminal at transmitting signals, in conjunctionwith FIG. 1.

As best shown in FIG. 1, at transmitting signals, control unit 180 firstdetermines the working mode and frequency band for transmitting thesignals, that is, to communicate in TDD or FDD mode, adopting 2G LFcarrier signals or 3G HF carrier signals.

Afterwards, the baseband digital in-phase signals and quadrature-phasesignals to be transmitted, i.e. I&Q signals, are transferred to Txprocessing unit 150 composed of Tx baseband unit 200, modulating unit220 and Tx LO generating unit 240 after being filtered by digitalfilters 54 and 55 in digital processing unit 170.

Tx processing unit 150 can be shared by transmitting signals indifferent modes and different frequencies. In Tx processing unit 150,the baseband digital I&Q signals are respectively processed in turnthrough DACs 71 and 51, AGCs 46 and 47, baseband filters 41 and 42 in Txbaseband unit 200, to generate baseband analog I&Q signals. Then, thebaseband analog I&Q signals are inputted into modulating unit 220consisting of mixers 25 and 26, combiner 27 and phase shifter 31, formodulation. Wherein the LO used by modulating unit 220 is provided by TxLO generating unit 240 and in Tx LO generating unit 240, FS 35 outputsfrequency signals based on reference clock 39 and outputs HF or LF LOsignals to phase shifter 31 after being divided by divider 33 controlledby control u nit 180. The signals modulated by modulating unit 220, aretransferred to AGC 260.

With indication of the control instruction from control unit 180, thesignals amplified by AGC 260 are transferred to Tx band switching unit130. Depending on the band of the demodulated signals, the signals to betransmitted are transferred to HF Tx RF processing unit 90 or LF Tx RFprocessing unit 100 via Tx band switching unit 130. If the modulatedsignals to be transmitted are HF signals, after respectively beingfiltered in turn by Tx BPF 17 and RF BPF 9 and amplified by poweramplifier 13 in HF Tx RF processing unit 90, the signals to betransmitted are transferred to HF TDD mode transceiving switching unit50 or HF FDD mode duplex unit 60. That is: when in TDD mode, under thecontrol of control unit 180, the signals to be transmitted aretransferred to HF TDD mode transceiving switching unit 50; when in FDDmode, under the control of control unit 180, the signals to betransmitted are transferred to HF FDD mode duplex u nit 60. The signalstransferred through HF TDD mode transceiving switching unit 50 or HF FDDmode duplex unit 60, are transmitted by antenna unit 10 via bandswitching unit 20 after passing through HF mode switching unit 30.

If the modulated signals to be transmitted are LF signals, afterrespectively being filtered in turn by Tx BPF 19 and RF BPF 11 andamplified by power amplifier 15 in LF Tx RF processing unit 100, thesignals to be transmitted are transferred to LF TDD mode transceivingswitching unit 70 or LF FDD mode duplex unit 80. That is: when in TDDmode, under the control of control unit 180, the signals to betransmitted are transferred to LF TDD mode transceiving switching unit70; when in FDD mode, under the control of control unit 180, the signalsto be transmitted are transferred to LF FDD mode duplex unit 80. Thesignals transferred through LF TDD mode transceiving switching unit 70or LF FDD mode duplex unit 80, are transmitted by antenna unit 10 viaband switching unit 20 after passing through LF mode switching unit 40.

In the embodiment of the present invention, control unit 180 can be anindependent module, or a component in digital processing unit 170.During the communication process of transmitting and receiving signals,control unit 180 controls the operation of other units through controlinterface 190.

In the embodiment of the present invention, HF TDD mode transceivingswitching unit and LF TDD mode transceiving switching unit, are switchedto corresponding Rx path and Tx path at different time during process ofreceiving and transmitting radio signals, HF FDD mode duplex unit and LFFDD mode duplex unit, transfer the received radio signals and thesignals to be transmitted to corresponding Rx path and Tx path duringprocess of receiving and transmitting radio signals.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, FSs 35 and 36can generate signals at frequency of about 4 GHz, dividers 33 and 34 canobtain orthogonal carrier signals at frequency of about 2 GHz if the 4GHz signals are divided by 2, and obtain orthogonal carrier signals atfrequency of about 900 MHz if the 4 GHz signals are divided by 4. Inthis way, the problem of carrier leakage can be settled effectively, andthus provide ideal carrier signals.

BENEFICIAL RESULTS OF THE INVENTION

Descriptions are given above to the operation of receiving andtransmitting signals for the mobile terminal provided by the presentinvention, in conjunction with FIG. 1, wherein near the antenna's frontend, switching to the signal propagation path corresponding to differentworking mode, can be achieved through controlling the mode switchingunit composed of HF mode switching unit 30, LF mode switching unit 40,HF TDD mode transceiving switching unit 50, LF TDD mode transceivingswitching unit 70, HF FDD mode duplex unit 60 and LF FDD mode duplexunit 80. So, the mobile terminal in the present invention can select itsworking mode flexibly in a multi-mode communication system. Moreover,the mobile terminal in the present invention can receive radio signalsin different frequency bands, through band switching unit 20 and the Rxsignal processing module in the RF processing unit composed of HF Rx RFprocessing unit 110, LF Rx RF processing unit 120, Rx band switchingunit 140, demodulating unit 230 and Rx LO generating unit 250. Themobile terminal in the present invention can transmit radio signals indifferent frequency bands, through band switching unit 20 and the Txsignal processing module in the RF processing unit composed of HF Tx RFprocessing unit 90, LF Tx RF processing unit 100, Tx band switching unit130, modulating unit 220 and Tx LO generating unit 240.

Furthermore, in the mobile terminal described in the present invention,the baseband processing unit can be shared by radio signals in differentbands and different working modes, and the RF processing unit can beshared by radio signals in different modes, so the mobile terminalprovided in this invention can greatly save manufacturing cost andimprove integrity.

1. A mobile terminal in wireless communication systems, comprising: acontrol unit, for generating control information according to the bandscorresponding to signals to be received and signals to be transmitted; aband switching unit, for switching to the propagation path of thecorresponding band, so as to transfer corresponding signals, accordingto the control information; an RF processing unit, for RF processingreceived signals transferred via the propagation path of thecorresponding band, and RF processing the signals to be transmitted,then transmitting the processed signals via the band switching unit,according to the control information; a base-band processing unit, forconverting RF signals from the RF processing unit into base-bandsignals, and transferring the base-band signals to be transmitted to theRF processing unit to complete the RF processing, according to thecontrol information.
 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1,wherein said RF processing unit comprises: a Tx (transmitting) signalprocessing module, for RF processing signals to be transmitted from saidbase-band processing unit, so as to transmit the RF signals via saidband switching unit; a plurality of Rx (receiving) RF processing unitscorresponding to different bands, for RF processing received signalstransferred via the propagation paths of said corresponding bands; an Rx(receiving) band switching unit, for receiving RF signals from the Rx RFprocessing units of said corresponding bands, according to said controlinformation; a demodulating module, for demodulating RF signals from theRx band switching unit, and outputting the demodulated signals to saidbase-band processing unit, according to said control information.
 3. Themobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein said Tx signal processingmodule comprises: a modulating module, for modulating signals to betransmitted from said base-band processing unit into RF signals,according to said control information; a Tx (transmitting) bandswitching unit, for switching the modulated signals to the transmissionpath of corresponding band, according to said control information; aplurality of Tx (transmitting) RF processing units corresponding todifferent bands, for RF processing the modulated signals from the Txband switching unit in corresponding bands, so as to transmit the RFsignals from said band switching unit.
 4. A mobile terminal in wirelesscommunication systems, comprising: a control unit, for generatingcontrol information according to the bands corresponding to signals tobe received and signals to be transmitted; a band switching unit, forswitching to the propagation path of the corresponding band to transferthe corresponding signals, according to the control information; an RFprocessing unit, for RF processing received signals transferred from theband switching unit, and RF processing signals to be transmitted incorresponding bands according to the control information so as totransmit the RF signals from the band switching unit; a base-bandprocessing unit, for converting RF signals from the RF processing unitinto base-band signals, and transferring the base-band signals to betransmitted to the RF processing unit to be RF processed according tothe control information.
 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 4,wherein said RF processing unit comprises: an Rx (receiving) signalprocessing module, for RF processing the received signals transferredfrom said band switching unit, so as to input them to said base-bandprocessing unit; a modulating module, for modulating signals to betransmitted from said base-band processing unit into RF signals,according to said control information; a Tx band switching unit, forswitching the modulated signals to the transmission path of thecorresponding band, according to said control information; a pluralityof Tx RF processing units corresponding to different bands, for RFprocessing the modulated signals from the Tx band switching unit incorresponding bands, so as to transmit the RF signals from said bandswitching unit.
 6. The mobile terminal according to claim 5, whereinsaid Rx signal processing module comprises: a plurality of Rx RFprocessing units corresponding to different bands, for RF processingsignals transferred from the propagation paths of said correspondingbands; an Rx band switching unit, for receiving RF signals from the RxRF processing unit in corresponding band, according to said controlinformation; a demodulating module, for demodulating RF signals from theRx band switching unit and outputting the demodulated signals to saidbase-band processing unit, according to said control information.
 7. Themobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein said control unitgenerates control information for corresponding modes based on signalsto be received and signals to be transmitted, further comprising: a modeswitching unit, for switching the propagation path of said correspondingband to the propagation path of the corresponding mode, so as totransfer corresponding signals between said band switching unit and saidRF processing unit, according to the control information.
 8. The mobileterminal according to claim 7, wherein said mode switching unitcomprises: a mode switching unit in corresponding band, for switchingthe propagation path of said corresponding band to the propagation pathof the corresponding mode, according to said control information; aplurality of mode TRx (transceiving) processing units, for processingthe corresponding signals from the propagation path of the correspondingmode in the corresponding modes, so as to transfer corresponding signalsbetween said band switching unit and said RF processing unit, accordingto said control information.
 9. The mobile terminal according to claim8, wherein said plurality of mode TRx processing units at least containTDD mode TRx switching unit and FDD mode duplex unit.
 10. A mobileterminal in wireless communication systems, comprising: a control unit,for generating control information according to the modes correspondingto signals to be received and signals to be transmitted; a modeswitching unit, for switching to the propagation path of thecorresponding mode to transmit the corresponding signals, according tothe control information; an RF processing unit, for RF processing thereceived signals transferred from the propagation path of thecorresponding mode, RF processing the RF signals to be transmitted andthen transmitting the RF signals from the propagation path of thecorresponding mode; a base-band processing unit, for converting RFsignals from said RF processing unit into base-band signals, andtransferring the base-band signals to be transmitted to the RFprocessing unit to be RF processed.
 11. The mobile terminal according toclaim 10, wherein said control unit generates the control informationfor corresponding bands based on signals to be received and signals tobe transmitted, further comprising: a band switching unit, for switchingto the propagation path of the corresponding band, so as to transfersaid corresponding signals between the propagation path of thecorresponding band and the propagation path of said corresponding mode,according to the control information; said RF processing unit, forcorrespondingly RF processing signals transferred from the propagationpath of the corresponding band, according to the control information.12. The mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein said RFprocessing unit comprises: a Tx signal processing module, for RFprocessing signals from said base-band processing unit to betransmitted, so as to transmit the RF signals from said band switchingunit; a plurality of Rx RF processing units corresponding to differentbands, for RF processing received signals transferred from thepropagation path of said corresponding mode; an Rx band switching unit,for receiving RF signals from the Rx RF processing unit in thecorresponding band, according to said control information; ademodulating module, for demodulating RF signals from the Rx bandswitching unit and outputting the demodulated signals to said base-bandprocessing unit.
 13. The mobile terminal according to claim 10, whereinsaid control unit generates control information for corresponding bandsbased on the signals to be received and signals to be transmitted,further comprising: a band switching unit, for switching to thepropagation path of the corresponding band, so as to transfer saidcorresponding signals between the propagation path of the correspondingband and the propagation path of said corresponding mode, according tothe control information; said RF processing unit, for RF processingsignals to be transmitted in corresponding bands, so as to transmit theRF signals from the band switching unit, according to the controlinformation.
 14. The mobile terminal according to claim 13, wherein saidRF processing unit comprises: a Rx signal processing module, for RFprocessing received signals transferred from said band switching unit tooutput them to said base-band processing unit; a modulating module, formodulating RF signals from said base-band processing unit to betransmitted into RF signals, according to said control information; aplurality of TX RF processing unit corresponding to different bands, forRF processing the modulated signals from the Tx band switching unit incorresponding bands, so as to transmit the RF signals from said bandswitching unit.
 15. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, whereinsaid demodulating module comprises: a local oscillation generating unit,for generating local oscillation signals in corresponding bands,according to said control information; a demodulating unit, fordemodulating RF signals from the Rx band switching unit and outputtingthe demodulated signals to said base-band processing unit, by utilizingthe local oscillation signals.
 16. The mobile terminal according toclaim 3, wherein said modulating module comprises: a local oscillationgenerating unit, for generating local oscillation signals incorresponding bands, according to said control information; a modulatingunit, for modulating signals to be transmitted from said base-bandprocessing unit into RF signals, by utilizing the local oscillationsignals.
 17. The mobile terminal according to claim 15, wherein saidlocal oscillation generating unit comprises: a frequency synthesizer,for generating frequency signals; a frequency splitter, for splittingthe frequency signals to get the local oscillation signals incorresponding bands, according to the control information of saidcontrol unit.
 18. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, whereinsaid frequency synthesizer generates signals of frequency at around 4GHz.
 19. The mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein said modeswitching unit comprises: a mode switching unit in corresponding band,for switching the propagation path of said corresponding band to thepropagation path of the corresponding mode, according to said controlinformation; a plurality of mode TRx processing unit, for processing thecorresponding signals from the propagation path of the correspondingmode in the corresponding modes, so as to transfer corresponding signalsbetween said band switching unit and said RF processing unit, accordingto said control information.
 20. The mobile terminal according to claim19, wherein said mode TRx processing unit at least includes: TDD modeTRx switching unit and FDD mode duplex unit.
 21. A communication methodfor mobile terminals in wireless communication systems, comprising:determining the band corresponding to received signals, according toradio signals to be received; RF processing received signals incorresponding band, according to determined band; base-band processingthe RF processed signals.
 22. The method according to claim 21, furthercomprising: determining the band corresponding to signals to betransmitted; RF processing the base-band processed signals incorresponding band, according to determined band; transmitting the RFsignals corresponding to said band;
 23. The method according to claim21, further comprising: determining the modes corresponding to signalsto be received and signals to be transmitted; transferring the receivedsignals and signals to be transmitted, according to determined modes.